Oil, water and gas separator

Abstract

An elongated, cylindrical oil, water and gas separator with end closures for receiving a flowing mixture of oil, water and foamy gas improved by means for defoaming the gas, separating the oil, water and gas into distinct laminar layers and a means for absorbing the impetus and energy of the flowing water layer as it impacts the end closure near the water outlet conduit, and can include a heating means for reducing the viscosity of the mixture with increased heat exchange surface, an electric field through which the oil can flow downward for coalescing water droplets that may be entrained within the oil and further can contain a series of coalescing baffles having a spray jet washing system and hinged bottom segments to expedite cleaning and maintenance.

What I claim is: 
     
       1. A horizontal cylindrical vessel closed on both ends equipped with an inlet at one end; and oil outlet, a water outlet and a gas outlet at the other end, the purpose of said vessel being to receive a mixture of oil, water and gas containing foamy bubbles and separate said mixture into disparate streams of oil, water and gas, the vessel comprising; a gas separation baffle proximate said inlet extending downwardly from the upper surface of said vessel and having a serrated lower edge, forming means for separating the gas containing foamy bubbles in such a way that said gas will be passed through a layer of oil for the purpose of removing the foamy bubbles,   a series of permeable baffles constructed in such a way that the principle of capillary attraction will be applied to cause non continuous phase fluids to coalesce for faster separation from the continuous phase fluids,   a space downstream of the said permeable baffles to permit the segregation of said oil, water and gas providing means whereby there will be within the said vessel a distinct gas-oil interface and oil-water interface,   and an overflow baffle proximate said oil outlet having a surge suppression baffle extending downwardly away from said overflow baffle forming an energy absorbing means in proximity of said oil-water interface near said water outlet to prevent said water from surging upward and disrupting said oil-water interface.   
     
     
       2. A vessel as described by claim 1 including means for heating said mixture for the purpose of lowering its viscosity before passing said mixture through said permeable baffles. 
     
     
       3. A vessel as described by claim 2 whereby said heating means comprises a "U" tube type heating element with a flame in one side of said tube and an exhaust stack on the other side and including a multitube section on said exhaust stack side of said tube for the purpose of increasing the heat exchange surface of said tube. 
     
     
       4. A vessel as described by claim 1 including means for passing the oil portion of said mixture in a downward direction through an electrical field for the purpose of charging water droplets that may be entrapped in the oil to cause coalescence of said water droplets. 
     
     
       5. A vessel as described by claim 1 and including in proximity to each of the permeable baffles in said series of permeable baffles a means for spraying water onto the surface of said baffles. 
     
     
       6. A vessel as described by claim 1 and including having a bottom segment of each said permeable baffle hinged to permit said bottom segment to swing upward against the direction of the flow of said mixture to permit, when the vessel is out of service, a person to pass under the series of said baffles for inspection and maintenance of said baffles.